Cuba's average temperature increases by 0.9 C

Cuba's average temperature increases by 0.9 C
Xinhua, September 24, 2014

The standard surface air temperature in Cuba rose by 0.9 degrees Celsius
on average since the mid-1900s, state daily Granma reported Monday.

According to the soon-to-be-presented book "Climate Change Impact and
Adaptation Measures in Cuba," the increase results from an approximate
1.9 degree rise in the average minimum temperature.

The book compiles climate variations in the Caribbean nation over the
past 40 years, plus the most likely scenarios for the years 2050 and
2100, given the warming trend, and adaptation measures in the areas of
water use and conservation, coastal and marine resources, biodiversity,
forests, agriculture, human settlements and land use, and human health.

The data presented in the book are the foundation of Cuba's second
report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In addition to the temperature rise, Cuban researchers have noted a
decrease in rainfall in the eastern region, which has been plagued by
significant droughts since the 1990s.

They also found a tendency towards moderate to strong coastal flooding,
and an increase in extreme weather events, with seven major hurricanes
hitting the country between 2001 and 2011, more than in any decade since
1791.

The repetition of such events, coupled with high evaporation rates,
contributes to soil erosion and declining water reserves, which
negatively impact agricultural production, the researchers warned.

Source: Cuba's average temperature increases by 0.9 C - China.org.cn -
http://www.china.org.cn/environment/2014-09/24/content_33595841.htm